Improvement in sash-balances



B F. MCc'U'NE. SASH-BALANCE.

No. 189,317. I Patented Apri110,1'877.

14 2211 ass es Witt.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BENJAMIN F. McoUNE, 0F BABBOURSVILLE, WES VIRGINIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN SASH-BALANCES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 189,317, dated April 10, 1877; application filed May 6, 1876.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known thatL-BENJAMIN F. McOUNE, of Barboursville, in the county of Gabell and State of West Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sash-Balances, which improvements are fully set forth in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part thereof.

The object of my invention is to provide a sash-balance which shall be adapted to raise,

' .lower, or adjust the sash with greater facility than those ordinarily in use, and at the same time, by very simple means, to lock the sash firmly when closed. My invention'consists, mainly, in the novel combination and arrangement of a cogged rack-bar, a recessed box or case containing a pinion or cog wheel, a two-part facing-plate a suitable ratchet-wheel and paw], an operating-shaft, and a crank or folding handle, the end of which forms a locking-pin, which engages with a suitable hole in the facing-plate for securely locking the sash when closed, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, and definitely claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of a window frame and sash with my sash-balance attached, showing two forms of the handle and pawl and ratchet. Fig. 2 is a section ofthe sash, with cogged rack-bar attachment. Fig. 3 is an opposite section of the sash, with an anti-friction roller attached. Fig. 4 is a detached inside view of 'the box or case containing the cog-wheel or pinion. Fig. 5 is a detached view of the twopart facing-plate; and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the operating-shaft, the folding handle or crank with its locking-pin, and of one form of the pawl and ratchet.

Like letters of reference in every case indicate like parts.

A represents the window-frame, and B the sash. 0 represents a box or case, opening in the center, and mortised in the window-frame; I), a pinion or cog wheel journaled within the box; E, a cogged rack-bar attached to one side of the sash; F, an anti-friction roller on the opposite side of the sash, preferably used, but which may be dispensed with; G, a two-part facing-plate longitudinally divided, attached by screws, and having suitable opening for passage of the round portion of the operatingshaft; H, a suitable ratchet-wheel, which may be either saw-toothed or with, square notches; I, a pivoted pawl, which may be eithera simple catch or formed with projecting shoulders; J, a squared shaft passing through the box and cog-wheel, with rounded ends near the facingplate, adapted to carry the crank, and operate the device, and K a folding handle or crank, having its end formed into an inwardly-projecting locking-pin, k, for engagement with a suitable hole in the lower part of the facing-plate.

To enableothers skilled in the art to make and use my said invention, I will proceed more particularly to describe my method of constrncting and applying the same.

The box or case is of cast or wrought iron,

opening in the center to receive the pinion or cog wheel, and both of these may be made of varying sizes to suit different sizes of sash. The box and pinion are mortised into the edge of the window-frame at or near the junction of the meeting-rails of the sashes, and a hole is bored in the casing large enough to pass the operating-shaft intothe recessed box and cogwheel. The facing-plate is longitudinally divided into two parts, is screwed onto the face of the window-frame, and has an aperture which fits closely around the journal ofthe operatingshaft, and serves to steady the same. The ratchet-wheel is suitably arranged on the journal of the operating-shaft, and the pawl is pivoted to the upper half of the facing-plate in such position as to brace against the ratchet-teeth, and hold the sash at any desired height, or it may be reversed and serve as a locking device when the sash is closed. The

crank, preferably formed into a folding han-' (lle, foldsby means of a hinge, and, extending down below the ratchet-wheel, its inwardlyprojecting end forms a locking-pin, which enters a hole in the casing-plate below the ratchet-wheel, and securely locks the sash when closed. One side of the sash has extending its entire length a cast-iron cogged rack-bar, which is secured in a vertical groove of the 'sash, into which rack-bar the pinion or cog wheel meshes. On the opposite side of sash I prefer to mortise in two small anti-friction dle is folded in, the locking-pin formed upon the end of the same enters a suitable hole in the facing-plate, and securely locks the device. down, and prevents tampering with the fastenings from the outside. d

Various sizes of my improved sash-balance may be made adapted for light or heavy sashes, and the facing-plate, crank-handle, and

other parts mayvary in. style, material, and

ornamental finish.

Having thus fully described my said inven- I tion, what Ielaim as new, and desire to se a i cure by Letters. Patentof the United States,

An improved sash-balance, consisting of i the recessed box or caseG, the pinion or cog wheel D, the coggedlrack bar E, the twopart facing-plate G, the ratchet-wheel H,fand w 1 pawl I,the operatingshaft J,and the folding handle or'crank K, formed with an inwardlyprojecting locking-pin k, all constructed, ar-

ranged, and operating substantially as shown and described, for thepurpose specified, i

. BENJAMIN F MGUUNE.

Witnesses: i a i G. E. THORNBURG, THOMAS THORNBURG. 

